- Contact: Lee Chun-ping, Press Section, General Affairs Department
- Telephone: 037-559825
- Publication Date: August 5, 2025, 14:23
Jianguo Elementary School Choir won the Gold Prize in the Children and Youth Division at the 7th Tokyo International Choir Competition. On the morning of August 5, Miaoli County Magistrate’s wife, Chen Mei-chi, awarded the choir a special performance bonus for their captivating renditions of Hakka and Minnan songs that impressed the international audience—bringing pride not only to Miaoli but also to Taiwan.
Founded in 1945, the Jianguo Elementary School Choir has long been committed to promoting local music in Hakka and Minnan languages. In 2023, they earned one gold and one silver medal at the World Choir Games in South Korea. This year, on July 24, sixty choir members, accompanied by nine teachers, traveled to Japan for the 7th Tokyo International Choir Competition, once again leaving their mark on the global stage and writing another brilliant chapter in the choir’s history.
The Tokyo International Choir Competition is one of Japan’s most prestigious choral events, drawing 53 groups from across Asia and the Americas this year. The Children and Youth Division was especially competitive, with six talented teams competing for the top prize. Showing maturity and confidence beyond their years, the Jianguo Elementary School Choir impressed the judges with beautifully expressive performances of Hakka and Minnan choral works, winning the Gold Prize.
This morning, Chen Mei-chi was accompanied by the secretary to Legislator Chiu Chen-chun, County Councilor Chen Yung-hsien, the secretary-general of Councilor Hsu Kung-fan’s office, secretaries Cheng Chu-jan and Hsiao Yung-hsuan, and Toufen Mayor Lo Hsueh-chu in visiting the choir’s rehearsal room to commend the 60 young singers and their nine instructors.
The choir performed two of their competition pieces—“Onigiri Song” in Japanese and “Hakka World” in Hakka—at the ceremony. Chen awarded the choir NT$40,700 in performance bonuses, while Mayor Lo presented an additional NT$25,000. Chen also gave each choir member stationery sets and meat bun snacks, encouraging them to keep shining on the world stage and letting global audiences hear the voices of Miaoli.
Chen commended the choir for highlighting Miaoli’s culture through their heartfelt performances of Taiwan’s local music in Hakka and Minnan. She showed appreciation to the principal for his commitment, to the teachers for their guidance, and to the parents for their support—elements that allowed the choir to stand out internationally.
She also noted that the county magistrate highly values arts education and the diverse growth of children. To support the choir’s participation abroad, the county government approved a subsidy of NT$1,035,000 to cover airfare for teachers and students, along with the NT$40,700 performance bonus. She encouraged the group to keep striving, fearlessly chase their dreams, and bring Taiwan’s beautiful folk songs to the world.
Principal Tseng Huan-kan expressed gratitude to the dedicated teachers, the parent association, and accompanying parents for their support, as well as to Magistrate Chung Tung-chin for his encouragement. He also thanked the Ministry of Education, the Hakka Affairs Council, and all sectors of society for their generous backing. Despite the pressure upon arriving in Tokyo, the choir exemplified the resilient “Hakka spirit,” quickly adapted to the competition's atmosphere, and delivered polished, confident performances that ultimately earned the judges’ admiration and the Gold Prize trophy.